Should the Broncos re-sign nose tackle Domata Peko?

Should the Broncos re-sign nose tackle Domata Peko?

Denver Broncos defensive tackle Domata Peko will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Is it in the cards for the team to bring him back?

Peko is a fan favorite after spending the last two seasons in Denver following an 11-year run with the Cincinnati Bengals. He’s aging at 34 years old but has been productive the last two seasons, playing in 30 games for the Broncos.

He also wants to stay in Denver and finish his career in the Mile High City.

Domata Peko: "I know I'm on year 13 and all but I am from Samoa and we are grown men there. … I feel like I can go a couple more years and I hope the Broncos sign me back."

Similar to the case of Jared Veldheer, the Broncos will need to strongly consider bringing Peko back due to a lack of depth behind him. However, unlike Veldheer, there may not be a huge market for Peko.

That should give the Broncos a great chance to retain his services, should they want him back. In fact, he’d likely take even less money than he might elsewhere in order to stay with the team.

Peko was one of the big reasons the Broncos were so stout against the run in 2017 and has posted 69 tackles in his two seasons with the team. He’s even registered 1.5 sacks in that time.

The Broncos were much worse against the run in 2018 and that could prompt the team to look for big changes along the defensive line. However, since Peko could likely be brought back without much of a bidding war, the Broncos should do so.

Peko signed a two-year, $7.5 million deal in 2017. The team could sign him to another similar, short-term deal to allow him to retire as a Bronco.